From laptop computers to sunscreens to stain-resistant clothing, nanotechnology is gaining ground in the consumer products marketplace. Until now, it has been difficult for the public to learn about the kinds of nano-based products available to the consumer or how this technology is immediately impacting the economy. The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies will launch the only publicly available, online, and searchable inventory of nanotechnology-based consumer products.

This inventory is intended to provide the public with a better understanding of how nanotechnology is being applied to a wide range of consumer products, the nanomaterials used, specific brands, and how many products are available for consumer use. Importantly, the number of consumer products in the inventory far exceeds previous estimates.

The event will showcase a sampling of nano products, from paint to cosmetics and high performance sporting goods. Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies experts will be available to discuss the inventory, to explain how it was compiled, and to demonstrate its use.

Today’s current solar-cell technology used for space power relies upon three individual photovoltaic junctions used in a series. These so-called triple-junction solar cells—consisting of the chemical compounds, germanium, gallium arsenide and indium gallium phosphide—are grown latticed-matched on top of one another. Raffaelle’s team will augment the middle cell in the three-layered sandwich with a quantum dot array to enhance its short-circuit current and improve the overall efficiency of the triple junction cell.

Source: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

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